Salnave Philippe Auguste (Haitian, 1908-1989)

Salnave Philippe Auguste (January 27, 1908–June 2, 1989) was a Haitian painter, writer, and legal scholar whose work occupies a singular place in the history of Haitian “primitive” art. Born in Haiti and later based in Port-au-Prince, he is often recognized as one of the early Haitian artists to paint imaginative jungle scenes and Edenic landscapes populated by animals, human figures, and spiritual archetypes. Although best known for his painting, Auguste was also a self-educated lawyer and a three-time magistrate who wrote works on Haitian law as well as a collection of poetry. Auguste began painting in 1958 to support his family and raise his eight children. In 1960, he joined the Centre d’Art, where he developed a highly personal style characterized by vivid hues, flat surface color, and precise draftsmanship. His compositions often depict a fantastical world in which African animals and human beings coexist, creating lush paradises filled with fruit-laden tropical trees, winged women, and symbolic figures. Women were among his deepest sources of inspiration, and the female nude appears frequently as a central motif in his work. His refined drawing and color have been praised by Haitian art historians. Gérald Alexis noted in Peintres Haïtiens that Auguste’s “precise and colorful draftsmanship draws up a humorous inventory of popular beliefs,” emphasizing both the narrative intelligence and cultural wit embedded in his imagery. Auguste is also remembered as one of the most verbally articulate Haitian “primitive” painters, capable of describing his vision with exceptional clarity. His works were exhibited in Haiti and the United States and remain highly valued, in part because his distinctive style is rarely copied and his paintings are increasingly scarce. His legacy is documented in multiple major Haitian art publications, confirming his importance within modern Haitian art history. Scroll down to make your selection (s).